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Procreate Digital Drawing School: Line

Secular Curriculum

LIVE CLASS

Ages 8 - 14

6 Lessons

$20.00 / Lesson

High School Social Studies & History with CLEP Prep

Secular Curriculum

LIVE CLASS

Ages 13 - 18

30 Lessons

$16.67 / Lesson

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Animal Life Cycle Series: The Butterfly

Non Secular Curriculum

Downloadable

Ages 7 - 11

$2.99

When I Survey 3 Part Traditional Hymn Sheet Music

Non Secular Curriculum

Downloadable

Ages 7 - 100

$3

Literature Study Guide: The Invisible Man

Secular Curriculum

Downloadable

Ages 14 - 18

$6.99

Hoosiers Cinema Study Guide

Non Secular Curriculum

Downloadable

Ages 14 - 18

$6.99

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4-8th Grade, 2-week Musical Theatre Camp "Addams Family Young@Part"

Secular Curriculum

Classes

Ages 8 - 14

3 Railroad St, Fairport, NY 14450

$375

K-4th Grade, 2-week Musical Theatre Camp "Seussical Kids"

Secular Curriculum

Classes

Ages 4 - 9

3 Railroad St, Fairport, NY 14450

$340

French Macaron Magic: In-Home Chef Experience

Secular Curriculum

Classes

Ages 11 - 98

Edinburgh, Scotland

$250

ASL for Beginners - Learn to Sign in 10 Weeks - IN PERSON (17+)

Secular Curriculum

Classes

Ages 11 - 16

Monroe, GA

$200

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We specialize in getting students reading on grade level in 12 clinical hours or less using the Phono-Graphix method. The Phono-Graphix method is based on the Science of Reading and was designed for struggling readers and those with Dyslexia. 

Our online courses are designed to get students reading and spelling on grade level in 60 days or less. 

We have an instructor with TESOL certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) with three years of experience with online tutoring. This instructor is available for live classes during times that are Asian time-zone friendly. 

We offer reading and spelling courses for students from ages 5-14. 

Welcome! I'm Teacher Jolande, a passionate educator inspired by my own biology teacher. With a degree in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, PGCE, TEFL, I aim to make science enjoyable and accessible. Are you struggling with protein synthesis or mitosis? Join me, and together, we'll tackle these topics with ease. I have been a teacher since  2015, I'm dedicated to nurturing minds and fostering a love for science. Growing up on a farm, I developed a deep passion for biology, and now, I'm committed to sharing that passion with others. Let's embark on an exciting journey of discovery and learning!

Although I've haddecades of experience working with children, my true calling emerged when Istarted tutoring students who struggled to learn to read. Seeing them masterreading skills through their hard work and persistence, supported by mytraining and guidance, was incredibly rewarding. I knew I was making a realdifference in their lives!

 

I started working withkids in 1999, when I became a registered Music Together facilitator, planningand leading early childhood music and movement classes. At my church, Idirected children and youth in an old-fashioned Winter Solstice mummers' playfor several years. More recently, from 2019 to 2021, I taught English tochildren in China through VIPKid.

 

While theseexperiences were deeply joyful, tutoring children who struggled with readingignited a passion that went beyond my previous work. Now, I'm committed tocontinually expanding my knowledge about how children learn to read andimproving my skills. I'm driven by a vision to shift the educational landscape,ensuring that all children are taught to read using proven, evidence-basedmethods.

I have been a Mandarin Chinese tutor since 2006, teaching many homeschooled children and their mothers, as well as adults and people of various nationalities online. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Language Arts. Originally from Taiwan, I am now based in the US and am proficient in teaching both traditional and simplified Chinese.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching Chinese and am passionate about making learning fun. My two children, born and raised in the US, are bilingual in English and Mandarin.  I am their Chinese teacher and also instruct them in math, French, various dialects, and other subjects at home and while traveling. I often explain math concepts in Chinese, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We also enjoy multilingual story time with children's picture books.

I have a keen interest in traveling and learning other languages. I like watching documentary films, crime programs, and the Nova channel on TV, and I also enjoy taking walks.

With young students, I use games, stuffed animals, toys, and children's songs to make lessons enjoyable and engaging. By the end of the lessons, children are motivated to learn more Chinese. I would love to travel with my kids to different countries to expose them to new things and different cultures.

A bit about me: I speak Mandarin Chinese (native), Hakka (a dialect), Taiwanese (a dialect), English (fluent), and French (upper-intermediate conversational level). I also have knowledge of Italian (many words) and Spanish (many words). Currently, I am learning German. When not teaching on Outschool, I create my own Chinese curriculum, learn different languages, take walks, and occasionally go out for dinner with my family.

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About Intuitive Math

Some students naturally enjoy math and are good at it. Others can’t bear to even look at a math problem.

What makes the difference?

Neurologically, math is a highly specialized and abstract mental activity. Learning an abstract mental function requires building bridges from the concrete skills that we already understand and enjoy – touch, vision, sound, play, and social relationships, for example.

In early education, teachers use many hands-on activities to build math skills. By middle school, students are expected to have already developed the ability to do math abstractly. The many students who haven’t are left frustrated, confused, and upset.

The secret of people who are good at math is that they do use concrete, hands-on, visual, graphic tools for solving math problems. But they do it intuitively, without necessarily even realizing what they are doing. When approaching a challenging math problem, they create new bridges between the concrete information and the abstract thinking that they need in order to solve the problem.

Anyone can learn and master these intuitive tools. They simply need high quality instruction and practice.

Our math anxiety program teaches students many intuitive tools for many kinds of math problems. And we teach students how to start drawing on their own intuitions and natural strengths.

We work with typical ACT math and SAT math problems, so a bonus of the program is that students are better prepared for taking the ACT exam and the SAT exam.

In the words of one of our adult math-phobic learners: “I can actually understand what I’m doing! How come no one ever taught me math like this before?”

What are intuitive math tools?

Standard math tools, like algebra, are very abstract. When attempting a difficult algebra problem, high powered math pros start by using intuitive tools to organize the information in the problem before they use algebra. This intuitive work shows them how to apply the algebra.

Students who struggle with math often have memorized the algebra tools but don't have the intuitive tools to know how to apply it. Ironically, many such students have wonderful strengths in intuitive areas, including art, music, movement, and social relationships. They simply haven’t learned how to apply those strengths to mathematical problems.

A simple example: 

Here is a relatively simple problem, similar to problems that you find on ACT math and SAT math.

The ratio of 1/5 to 5/24 is most closely equal to the ratio of:

A. 1 to 24

B. 24 to 1

C. 24 to 5

D. 24 to 25

E. 25 to 24

The standard “math” way to solve this  involves finding common denominators or simplifying complex fractions. In intuitive math, the simplest, most understandable strategy is the best.

You can be confident that if you multiply both fractions by the same number, it will not change the ratio. (The ratio of 3 to 7 is the same as the ratio of 6 to 14.)

Now you can multiply both fractions by 5. This will change the first fraction, 1/5, to the number 1, which will be a lot easier to work with!

1/5 x 5 = 1,         5/24 x 5 = 25/24

Now I’m concerned only with the ratio of 1 to 25/24.

What do you intuitively see about 25/24? It is just a tiny bit bigger than 1. This means the problem boils down to a smaller number on top and a slighlty larger number on the bottom. 

In other words, we're looking at the ratio of 1 to 1 plus a little bit. Am I ready to solve the problem yet? Let’s look at the answer choices. Remember that we are looking for a fraction that is closest in value to 1 over 1+.

In choice A, the two numbers are very far apart. Our two numbers are very close. Choice A is out. Choice B is out for the same reason. Choice C has numbers that are also quite far apart, so that is out.

Choices D and E both have numbers that are very close. What is the difference between choice D and choice E?

In choice D, the top number is slightly smaller than the bottom number. In choice E the top number is a little bit greater than the bottom number. Choice D matches our problem – 1 is a little smaller than 1 plus a tiny bit.

Choice D is the answer.

It's true that the problem still requires working with numbers but it uses an approach that stays with the information that I’m clear on. It uses the simplest possible approach. Doing this decreases the chances of getting lost in abstract math and increases the chances of finding the right answer.

Math is about relationships! 

Numbers, figures, distances, parts of triangles, time, space, people. Math problems are always about the relationships between the elements of the problem. What high school student is not interested in relationships!

The first step in becoming comfortable with math is to begin seeing it as relationships that you can understand.

The second step is to draw on skills that you already have for negotiating relationships.

Here’s a famous quote from the movie Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion that summarizes everything we need to know about students who are wrestling with math:

Hey Romy, remember Mrs. Divitz’s class, there was like always a word problem. Like, there’s a guy in a rowboat going X miles, and the current is going like, you know, some other miles, and how long does it take him to get to town? It’s like, ‘Who cares? Who wants to go to town with a guy who drives a rowboat?

Math anxious? 

Does math make you feel confused, overwhelmed, and physically uncomfortable? If so, you probably find that your math classes don't help much. Intuitive Math teaches you a very different set of strategies for solving math problems. You learn to use your intuitions, visual and artistic skills, and your understanding of relationships to solve simple and complex math painlessly. You may even find that you enjoy it!

Some people already understand these tools naturally. For the rest of us, the tools can be learned with a little expert guidance.

Math genius? 

Are you really good at math. You probably use intuitive tools naturally, without realizing you are doing so. Purposely and systematically studying intuitive math strategies helps you expand your natural skills and become a true math expert.

Concerned about ACT Math or SAT Math?

Our Intuitive Math program draws on the most common patterns of ACT math and SAT math.

Get Your Free Booklet - You CAN Help Your Child Love Math

Read More About Mastering Intuitive Math

Jay Cutts is the author of several Barron's test prep books and has been teaching intuitive math skills for 35 years. 

Jay Cutts IndyEd Profile

Intuitive Math Online

Learning Game for Kids: Question vs. Comment

You may be surprised how many times a day a student raises their hand, says they have a question, and then proceeds to describe their favorite ice cream toppings.   

As a teacher, I love having conversations and chatting with my students about all of the fun activities of their weeks and learning about their favorite interests! This brings so much joy to the classroom and really helps teachers, students, and classmates to connect. 

However, when this type of conversation begins to shift the classroom off of topic from the lesson at hand, then it can cause a distraction and keep the learning environment from being the best that it can be. 

It is important for students to understand the difference between a question and a comment, especially when participating in an online class. This will help the class to run smoother, stay on topic, and improve the overall class environment. Many younger students, ages 10 and younger, often confuse the difference between the two. One of my favorite ways to help students grasp this concept is by playing the game I created called, 'Comment vs. Question.'

How to play

First, explain to the child(ren) the difference between a question and a comment: 

A question seeks information, an answer, or clarification on a topic. It often asks about the other person's interest or experiences, and typically ends with a question mark (?). For example: 'What is your name?', 'How old are you?', 'Do you have any pets?' 

On the other hand, a comment expressions a statement, typically a fact, it provides information or expresses an opinion. This type of statement typically ends with a period (.) or an exclamation mark (!). For example: I have 3 dogs. I love chocolate cake. I am six years old. 

Setup

The purpose of the game, Questions vs. Comments, is to help the child(ren) to grasp the differences between these two concepts. This game is excellent for building mastery on the topic, while still having lots of fun! 

The game will be set up similarly to Red Light, Green Light. You may play this game indoors or outdoors. Find a large space such as a living room, yard, or driveway. Have the child(ren) stand against a wall, fence, or line. Remove any objects out of the way, the students will be running or walking across the area. Choose someone (typically an adult or older sibling) to be "it". This individual will be the person who asks the questions and makes the statements, while the children are the active participates.

Gameplay

The goal of the game is to get to the other side of the room before your opponent (if only one child is playing, then the purpose is simply to reach the other side as quickly as possible) in order to win.

When the child(ren) are asked a question, they must STOP (this is the Red Light). When a child is told a statement they are allowed to GO (this is the Green Light). If the child goes when they are supposed to stop, or stop when they are supposed to go, they must take one step back. For more of a challenge, you can have the child return all the way back to the beginning. As the guardian, you may chose the best fit for your child. 

Winning

The first child to reach the other side of the room, yard, or driveway wins the game. If only one child is playing, you can time the race and have the child try to beat their time across the area each time they play. The game is then repeated until the child(ren) have built an understanding of the difference between a question and a comment, or have grown tired of playing and need a break.

Questions

Here are some questions and comments you may state during the game. Feel free to come up with your own as well! Get creative and have fun! The kids LOVE silly questions and comments.    

1. My dog loves to eat bacon flavored ice cream and pizza. 

2. What would you do if you woke up one morning and everything was upside down?

3. What do you think would happen if an elephant tried to ride a bike?

4. I saw a cow surfing in the ocean yesterday, her fur was blowing in the breeze.

5. What would you do if you woke up with blue hair?

6. If you eat too many carrots, you might start hopping like a bunny.

7. Penguins secretly love to surf when no one is watching.

8. Do you think dinosaurs have pillow fights before bedtime?

9. What would your house look like if it were made entirely out of candy?

10. If you drink too much gatorade, you might turn into a gator. 

11. If you had to wear a costume all day, what would you wear?

12. If you had to chose between eating something really sour or really spicy, which would you chose?

13. I love singing at the top of my lungs in the shower.

14. If you could chose to switch places with any cartoon character, who would you chose?

15. If you could fly like a bird, where would you go?

16. If I had a pet dragon, I would name it Reginald. 

17. Why do you think giraffes have really long necks?

18. If my dog talked, I think it would have a really high pitch voice and sound like Mickey Mouse.

19. What do you think a rainbow tastes like? 

20. I saw a chipmunk wearing tiny sunglasses today, it was adorable!

21. My hotdog just told me that it wants to be a superhero when it grows up.

22. If you could be any fruit, which one you be and why?

23. Did you know that your dental floss secretly does the floss dance when no one is looking?

24. I think I saw my pencil writing by itself the other day, it was magical! 

25. Do you think fish need swimming lessons?

I truly hope your family enjoyed playing this game and helping your student(s) grasp the concept between a question and a comment!

I would be delighted to have your student in my classroom! Feel free to reach out with any questions! 

~ Sara K.

https://www.indyed.com/secular-curriculum/sara-kalbhenn

Why Take an AP History Class?

Why should (or maybe shouldn’t?) you take an AP History course?. You’ve probably heard the good and the bad from friends, family, teachers, guidance counselors, and who knows who else. 

The AP courses are college level courses that are developed by the College Board (who, by the way also are responsible for SATs and ACTs.) These courses are weighted, meaning that if you get a C or higher, it will actually count as a letter grade higher toward your GPA. So, on a 4-point scale, an A would give you 5 points, rather than 4 and a C would give you 3 points rather than 2, and so on.  Also, if you pass the end of the year exam, most colleges will award you college credit. Some colleges will only award credit for getting a 5, which is the highest score. Many will give you college credit for passing with just a 3. You’ll want to check with prospective colleges to know what their policy is. Regardless, it’s likely one less class you’ll be required to take and (for your parents if they are paying for your college education) one less class to pay for.

The textbooks that are required by the College Board are similar to those that introductory college courses use, and as such, they are big. And heavy. And are written at a high reading level. If you are not a strong reader, you will want to think twice about whether this is the best option for you. I’m not trying to say don’t do it. On the contrary, think twice and consider what supports you can put in place to overcome any obstacles. Is there an online version of the text that you can use a read-aloud feature? Is there a simpler text that you can use, like the AMSCO books. You would want to ask the instructor about this in advance. Also, if you can, you might want to consider hiring a tutor who can regularly review the content with you. 

The high expectations, or rigor of the coursework is great for helping you improve your critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as getting really good at writing about history in an academic, amateur historian kind of way.  Different teachers will require varying degrees of writing over the course of the school year, but on the exam, you will write three short answer questions, which are the total equivalent of 9 paragraphs, one Document Based Question essay, which should be about 5 paragraphs, and one Long Essay Question, which usually ends up being shorter than the DBQ, about 4-5 paragraphs. You will have to be able to incorporate your own knowledge of history with facts and documents and write critically about them. This is certainly challenging, but something that you’ll get better at the more you work at it. The skills for writing the essays can be honed over the course of the school year. And a perk here is that once you learn the skills for one AP history class, they are the same skills that are used for the other AP History classes, so you can feel better about taking another AP class.

Do you like history? AP courses, while they often skim the surface of history, do provide a deeper understanding of the past in each of the courses, while looking at the connections, the complexities and the nuances. The AP curriculum allows students to make connections across time periods and places and even courses. I had a student in my AP European class who was also taking AP World History and he found that certain units of AP World supported certain units of Euro, thus the cross-course connections. By the way, he got a 5 on the Euro exam. The AP curriculum often will send you down a rabbit hole as you discover people and topics that you want to know more about. The primary and secondary source documents that you will read give you multiple perspectives of historical situations that will expand your understanding of… all of it!

The workload can get pretty intense at times. To do this course correctly, you should be reading regularly and taking notes on the reading. It will depend on your teacher, but you need to determine what is the best way for you to learn from the reading: Cornell Notes? Reading out loud? Graphic organizers? You have to be metacognitive, which means being aware of how you learn best and regularly checking in with yourself as to whether and what you are learning. You do not do the homework for a grade. Let me repeat that. You should not be doing the homework just for the grade. Do it to learn the content that you will need to know. Most teachers will post the learning objectives somewhere. If not, the college board has their curriculum and exam description that includes what you should be learning with each Key Concept. I’ll post links to those for each class at the end. Anyway, you should be regularly checking those objectives or key concepts to make sure you are learning what you are supposed to be learning. 

In most of the AP classes that I’ve taught, the class becomes like a community, or a family, as we are working together to achieve a common goal, which is passing the AP exam in May. It’s quite different than other classes that just have state exams. It’s hard to explain it beyond that, and I’m sure there are some situations that don’t feel that way. Hopefully, if you decide to take an AP class, you’ll be fortunate to be part of that community. But even if you aren’t, you’ll likely find others who are in your situation on social media that you’ll be able to connect with. I saw it on my TikTok channel, where students would comment and yes, I would respond, but they basically started having conversations amongst themselves. 

You definitely need to improve your time and task management skills or if you are easily distracted, you’ll want to start working on that now because you have to try to stay focused and procrastinating is a bad habit to get into (why yes, I do teach a course on this!) One of my favorite techniques is something called the Pomodoro Method. Basically, it involves setting a timer for 20-25 minutes and eliminating all distractions so you can have focused work time. Then you take a 5-10 minute break, and then repeat as needed. This is just the tip of the time management iceberg and I’ll try to sprinkle more tips throughout the episodes. In general, if you’re taking rigorous classes and especially if you participate in extra curriculars or have an after-school job, you have to schedule your time. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by all you need to do and then end up doing none of it (aka, scrolling on your phone.) Plan out your week to accommodate study time each day. Maybe give yourself Friday and Saturday off so you don’t burn out. Nevertheless, if you take an AP course, you’ll need to be intentional about how you spend your time.

The last thing I’ll talk about today is exam pressure. The AP exam is a lot: fifty-five multiple choice questions, 3 short answer questions, a DBQ essay and an LEQ essay. Not counting reading directions and breaks, it is a three hour and 15-minute exam. You can’t have water at your desk anymore, so you have to hydrate before and in the break halfway through. You can still pass the class if you don’t pass the exam, but you most likely still want to get that college credit. You’ve been preparing all year for this test. Of course you want to pass it. Yet, the reality is that the pass rate is between 50-60%. That means that 40-50% of students who take the exam don’t pass. That is a lot of pressure. And on any given day, anything can happen. Maybe you don’t feel well, but you’re not sick enough to see a doctor. You don’t get a second chance to take the test unless there is a doctor willing to say that you were on death’s doorstep. Missing the bus is not an excuse to take the late exam… get my drift. Do not put all of your eggs in the “I have to pass the AP exam basket.” Striving to pass, making it an important goal. Yes, that is ok. But do manage your expectations. You have to be okay with not passing that exam and appreciate the experience. 

If you have decided that an AP history class is for you, stick with me. I have your back. Check back as we go through all you need to know to be in the best possible position to succeed in AP US History, AP World History, or AP European History, and hopefully on the exam. 

Wendy is a veteran teacher with expertise in all things AP History. She offers courses, as well as individualized tutoring. She also hosts a bi-monthly podcast called APHistoryHelp. Learn more about the services she offers and the podcast by going to www.APHistoryHelp.com

Raising Global Learners: The Transformative Power of Acquiring a Second Language

As parents, one of the greatest gifts you can give your children is the ability to learn a second language. I would not be able to write this article today if I had not learned a second language at a young age when my parents decided it was time for my siblings and me to learn English. Here I am today, writing about the powerful impact of being bilingual or multilingual. Cognitive benefits, cultural awareness, and lifelong opportunities are just some of the incredible advantages language learning offers, so let's explore why giving your children this opportunity can be truly life-changing.

Cognitive Benefits of Learning a New Language

Learning a second language is not only about speaking another language; it's also an incredible workout for your brain. Research continues to show that bilingual adults have denser gray matter in certain areas of the brain, especially in the left hemisphere where language and communication skills are controlled. This denser gray matter is like a muscle—it's packed with information-processing nerve cells and fibers, making the brain more efficient and effective at processing information. These nerve cells and fibers become like the brain's supersonic highways, processing information faster and better. Because of this, a bilingual or multilingual person can switch automatically from one language to another without a problem. This effect is strongest in people who learned a second language in their early childhood and in those who are most proficient in their second language. It is a fact that learning two languages at a young age causes structural changes in the brain that improve cognitive function. Therefore, by encouraging children to learn a second language, you're not only offering them a new way to communicate, but you're also giving their brains a fantastic exercise that can enhance their capacity for memory, problem-solving, and mental flexibility. Additionally, brain research also shows that bilingual or multilingual people delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older age.

Cultural Awareness  

One of the most beautiful aspects of learning a second language, and the reason most near and dear to my heart as a language learner is the opportunity to explore and embrace different cultures. Learning a new language gives you an understanding of the customs, values, and beliefs of the people who use it since language and culture are closely related. This cultivates respect, empathy, and an open mind—qualities that are crucial for thriving in our world which is becoming more and more diverse and interdependent. Through language, you can bridge cultural divides, build meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds, and develop a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of human experience. So, when you embark on the journey of language learning, you're not just mastering words and grammar—you're also opening your heart and mind to a world of cultural discovery and understanding. It's like opening a window into the soul of a culture. Not only will we be able to communicate in our newly acquired language, but we will also gain a better understanding of the culture behind it.

Lifelong Opportunities

Proficiency in a second language opens doors to a wealth of opportunities, both academically and professionally. In today's globalized society, bilingual and multilingual individuals are highly sought after in the job market, as they possess a unique skill set that enables them to thrive in diverse professional environments and engage with people from different cultural backgrounds. Whether it's pursuing international career opportunities, participating in study abroad programs, or simply navigating a multicultural workplace with ease, bilingualism provides a competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected world. Furthermore, learning a language improves your capacity for effective communication, teamwork, and flexibility as you adapt to new and different situations—skills necessary for success in any line of work. Thus, by making an investment in language instruction, you're not only picking up a new talent but also giving yourself the ability to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves and opening doors to a world of possibilities.

A Bilingual Educator's Reflections

Now that we are aware of some of the powerful benefits of learning a second language or more, what will stop you from venturing into a language journey or giving this amazing opportunity to your children? Truly, the answer should be nothing. Nothing should stop us from exercising our brain as if it were a muscle. Language learning is like bench pressing our brain, a kind and open mind towards others who are culturally different than us, and a plethora of opportunities throughout our lives. Right now, we should be saying get ready, get set, let's go into language learning today! I do want you to remember, though that the journey will take time, we must be patient. The journey must be enjoyed to ensure success. You must find the right system for you and your children. Find a system that works and is effective. Lastly, learning a language takes practice; make sure to make time for it as much as possible. With this in mind, I am positive you will have a wonderful and successful language journey.

To end, let me tell you a little more about me as a bilingual teacher.  I now reap the benefits of having learned a second language. Being a fluent speaker of English and Spanish has allowed me to have the best of both worlds in many aspects of my life. The most enriching and rewarding aspect, I can say with absolute certainty, has been the ability to do what I love - teach students in either language. I have always loved reading and books. Now, I get to pass on that passion to all my students who come through my reading classes! It is a bonus, might I say a huge bonus, that I can do it in English and Spanish! It fills my teacher's heart to the brim to be able to pass on the language of my parents, and my culture, to those who want to leap into language learning to become the global and wonderful citizens of tomorrow. I invite you to be one of them. I hope to meet you, or your learners, in one of my classes. Let's go and conquer the language-learning journey together!

The Strong Bond Between Homeschooling and Homesteading

It seems as though there has always been a higher than usual correlation between families that homeschool and families that homestead. Let's look at some of the characteristics endemic to both to discover why that seems to be the case.

Self-Reliance

Many homeschoolers are families who, for whatever reason, became unsatisfied with their current schooling program. Oftentimes research is done into options such as alternative schools, private-pay institutions, professional and student tutoring, specialized programs within public schools, and other local options. Ultimately, homeschoolers decided that the absolute best fit for their family is the do-it-yourself (or DIY) path.

Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. Many times it involves starting from scratch in selecting curriculum, finding the right academic level target, avoiding academic gaps, and ensuring a complete and well-rounded education – often for more than one child at the same time. This process involves hours upon hours of research, comparison, budgeting, and planning at least a year at a time. While the homeschooling learning year has a lot of flexibility, it still follows a logical flow and may have to adhere to educational standards, depending on local governance. But the end result is a completely curated and customized academic course that has the best chance of resembling the ideal individualized learning program for the homeschooler.

Likewise, many homesteaders are critical thinking families who, for various reasons, become unsatisfied with commercially available food and product choices. Oftentimes research is done into options such as co-ops, independent distributors, community-supported agriculture, farmers markets, small farmers, and other local options. Ultimately, homesteaders decided that the absolute best fit for their family is (at least partially) the DIY path.

Homesteading, also, is not for the faint of heart. Getting started involves a significant amount of research; starting with growing zones and legal permissions, and extending beyond into agricultural practices and the practicality of growing food and products at home – often also into marketing and selling products of their own. Homesteading follows a natural rhythm of seasons, and projects have to adhere to certain parameters or risk failure and futility of effort.

Just like homeschoolers rarely have substitute teacher backups, homesteaders often have trouble finding farm sitters or being away from the home for any significant length of time. The key word in the DIY approach is very much "yourself" in both situations.

Independent Thinking

One common reason that families give for homeschooling is the intellectual freedom that it grants. With the ability to choose and customize curriculum, supplements, programs, and teaching tools, there is an opportunity to apply critical thinking skills in choosing materials that best align with your own philosophies and ideologies. Homeschoolers can be more picky about exactly how any information is conveyed and are free to choose curriculum most closely reflecting the outlook of the family, instead of simply letting others tell learners how to think.

Similarly, growing and producing your own foods and consumables via homesteading allows the option to pick and choose exactly what you want to be producing, as well as making your own executive decisions. While grocery produce, for example, can be extremely limited in selection, there is usually a great deal more variety in purchasing seeds and plant starts. For instance, commercially available produce selection is often reduced to only a handful of apple varieties, whereas a quick Wikipedia search indicates that there are over 7,500 types of eating apple worldwide. Comparing apples to apples, then, shows that in order to have the absolute best selection, you're going to have to grow your own tree. Chances are that most people have not yet even tasted what could potentially be their favorite apple.

While it is true that homesteaders may be constrained a bit by season for fresh fruits and vegetables, home food preservation methods make it possible for the DIY food producer to enjoy the fruits of their labor year round. Again, the homesteading route is a little bit more work, but the payoffs can be exponential in relation to the work invested.

The Pioneering Spirit

In the often-retold story of how the American west was won, authors often speak of the "pioneering spirit" of the folks who packed up the entirety of their worldly possessions and headed out for parts unknown. These pioneers had many different reasons for their exodus. Many were lured by the promise of a better life in a fantastic land of plenty. Others were enchanted by the possibilities of the unknown. Some may have even been escaping bad situations or even possibly fleeing the consequences of an error in judgment. For some, it may have simply been an incurable case of wanderlust. Whatever the motivation, the romantic notion of leaving everything behind to turn over a new leaf and try something completely new is a very human inclination and a commonly-told story.

In a similar vein, homeschoolers often depart from the comfortable ruts of commercially-available comprehensive curriculum and public school options to pursue the possibilities of what else is out there academically. Often, it's a leap into the unknown and a learning journey of trial and error. But some of the fun lies in the adventure of discovery as options are tried, tested, revised, refined, and completed.

Wanting to Start Homesteading?

Maybe you've been looking into or considering starting some homesteading projects of your own. The best way to get started in homesteading is one project at a time. Start small, learn from any mistakes and master your first project. Then consider adding the next. Think of it more of a marathon than a sprint. Even if you get there a bit more slowly, the end result is still the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

If you live out in the country with no one nearby, chances are you have a lot more freedom with what you can do with your property: plant an orchard, build a barn, raise large farm animals, keep bees, put in a large garden plot, etc. But surprisingly, there are a lot of things you can do with even a small city plot. In recent years within the US there has been a resurgence of an urban farming movement, spurring municipalities to adopt allowances for activities which had traditionally been seen as rural land uses.

You don't need a large tract of land, or even to live outside of city limits. Your options, of course, may depend on variables like climate, terrain, area, local governments, and even your nearby neighbors. If you're not sure the legalities of what types of homesteading practices are allowed in your town, your local feed store employees are a great resource. They can also help you narrow down which types of projects work best in your community. Your local city hall or department of agriculture will have additional – and official – information on what is and what isn't permitted in your area.

Most notable among this urban farming resurgence is the backyard chicken movement, which allows city dwellers to keep laying hens in coops in a city yard. Oftentimes there are regulations as to number and most prohibit the keeping of roosters. Some cities also allow waterfowl, like ducks and geese. Keeping a handful of chickens takes little space, is easy, and requires very little time commitment once established. Starting a backyard bird flock is a great way to begin any homesteading journey, and a great way to get your kids involved in sourcing their own food production.

Rabbits are an often overlooked and underrated source of meat. They are quiet, take very little space, and have no feathers to pluck. Rabbits reproduce like… rabbits, and have a very quick turnaround time from litter to litter. They are also one of the most efficient animals in terms of feed to meat ratio, eating grasses and relishing dandelions as a special treat. Rabbits are easily kept in small yards. In fact, many people make portable enclosures called "tractors" that move around, allowing the animals to keep the grass mowed.

You don't even have to have a yard to produce your own food. Consider keeping potted blueberries or cherry tomatoes on a porch or balcony for a fresh and tasty treat. Rabbits can also be kept indoors. Herbs grow great in windowsills or sunny out-of-the-way spaces in the house.

Whatever homesteading project is right for you, rest assured that it will provide ample opportunity for full-family hands-on learning. What a great way to put those math, science, biology, life skills, and other book lessons to a practical use through application and hard work – just like homeschooling!

My Story

In 1942, a young family with two toddlers in tow packed up all they had to move onto a former prune orchard to start a new life in the foothills of the forested coastal mountain range not far from the end of the Oregon trail. Their new life started off modestly, sleeping in the former chicken coop while they built a small farm house (which they would continue to add onto as their family grew). They slowly and steadily built a new life together in a strange new land.

She was a teacher in the local one-room schoolhouse and he worked as an engineer. Evenings and weekends were spent growing the homestead while raising five children. As the kids got older, they helped with farm chores. Gardens were planted and harvested, and chickens were kept for eggs and meat. Children as young as five would help with milking goats – practicing their Morse code with every milky squirt as they worked together. Not a teachable moment was lost.

This was my dad's wonderfully practical and untamed childhood. And this is the same piece of forested coastal foothills where I now serve as caretaker for the extended family; the same homestead that I am teaching my son to manage as we homeschool together in the breaks between farm commitments. Over the years we have raised many gardens, kept different types of poultry and waterfowl, learned about beneficial forageable edibles and wildcrafting, practiced timber and orchard management, as well as raising dairy goats and starting our own soap business.

While we certainly benefit today from the foundations of those who have gone before us, I would argue that we still retain some of that pioneering DIY spirit that keeps us starting new projects and constantly discovering new things while homesteading and homeschooling in our own piece of the wild forest.

About the Author

Heidi Lathrem has been taking care of her fourth-generation family farm since 1999 and homeschooling as long as she's had a school-age kid. Her current homesteading focus is on chickens, dairy goats and waterfowl, but she has also had other animal projects in the past, including horses, pigs, turkeys, peafowl, and rabbits. Nestled in the forested foothills of the coast mountain range in the US Pacific Northwest, the property allows plenty of opportunity for forage, wildcrafting, and exploring new projects like maple tapping, bee keeping, orchard fruits, and exploration.

Check out her many homesteading classes at IndyEd.com!

Secular classes: Heidi Lathrem, MA

Non-secular classes: Harvest Heritage Academy

The Impact of AI on College and Career Readiness

The last 25 years have included some significant culture shifts in our nation. A few of those have been obvious and have had a large impact on society, politics and economics. Others have had more of a subtle impact on things like the world of work and education. AI, for example, is now something that needs to be acknowledged and addressed in nearly every situation where original material needs to be produced and shared. In my role as a guidance consultant, AI is a primary example of a relatively new and significant factor that needs to be discussed with students considering their future career and how to navigate that pathway.

The impact of the rapid change in technology has become nearly impossible to predict except for those who are in the field now and have seen the reality of AI coming. ChatGPT was the topic of a professional development workshop I attended while still employed in a traditional school setting. It was fascinating to see how what would have taken hours to accomplish could be done in seconds using this tool. I admit that my head was swimming with the idea that this could become a way to produce materials that could be published and sold on Teacherspayteachers, a website that many educators use to sell products they have developed. Since then, I have also seen how this tool can be and is being abused by students looking for shortcuts to producing original content in things like school projects and college essays. Students are usually the first ones to figure out how technology can be used for good, but also for not-so-good. This article will focus on the way that students need to acknowledge how AI will impact their future, no matter how they use it. 

AI and Its Impact on Career Choice

Career readiness has become a highlighted subject in the field of guidance to the extent that in some states, Michigan for example, relicensure now requires it as the focus of a percentage of continuing credits for anyone renewing their 5 year school counselor credential. One of the ways guidance counselors can complete this training is to take the ASCA course for Career Specialist Certification. This is a course I have completed and the content focuses on how to have conversations with students in an organic way to connect their interests and life situations to the potential for a good career match. The reality of AI now needs to be included as a component in these conversations. 

In a high school co-op class I taught this past school year, students completed some activities for career exploration and this included discussing various career factors such as work environment, work/life balance, and future demand. The concept of future demand is not one that a typical teen would naturally think about because, developmentally, teens are “in the moment” creatures. Considering how AI will impact the demand for a career by the time they complete the training needed means thinking 5-10 years down the road. One of the students was interested in a career as an editor. It is pretty clear that the job of an editor is different now than it was even 5 years ago considering how AI is pervasive to all published text. For someone who works in journalism, AI has had a dramatic impact on this field including the salary. In this article, Dowel writes about the pros and cons of AI in the field of journalism but how it is a nightmare for editors. Based on just this one example, and how fast this component of technology is impacting the world of work it is imperative to consider how AI will impact any chosen field of study or vocational preparation. 

AI and College Essays

There is no doubt that AI can save time and allow for other productive activities in most scenarios. I have used AI to generate lesson plans and quizzes. But, as with all technology, this tool can be used for good and it can be used inappropriately. The idea of a college essay is to get a glimpse into the goals and personality of the writer. College essays are a way that college entrance personnel have historically determined if a student has reached a level of metacognition that demonstrates college readiness. It is also used to match the traits of the applicant to the culture of the institution. Using AI is not only the antithesis of personal, but the sterility of the content steers the reader in the opposite direction to the goal of the essay requirement. Admissions officers are also using AI to filter the content for the values they seek. From either direction, the value of including a personal touch to a quality college essay will now stand out in what has become the trend for many applicants choosing to skip this effort. Although using AI for a college essay is now recognized as a reality to admissions departments, the most important thing to remember is that it has value as a tool, rather than a replacement for personal “voice.” For relevant statistics and further insight, Diane Gyeski of Ithaca College discusses in this article insights from the college advisor perspective

AI and Career Planning 

The future of the world of work is being shaped by the growth of an AI dependent society. We cannot ignore the importance of looking at trends in career demand when discussing how to prepare for a career where jobs will actually be available. There are rapidly growing industries as well as rapidly declining ones. This is the essential tab to keep open and check often for changes. BLS.gov has specific data that is updated frequently to advise on this specific career factor. In this video about which jobs are being created and disappearing, this technology influencer has a good overview of this topic. When asking a student what they “want to be when they grow up,” the next question may be “How do you see AI impacting your ability to get a job when you graduate?” It is not easy to know the answer to this unless the actual trends are monitored. Checking websites such as Careeronestop.com or BLS.gov are helpful, but some common sense conversations and observations are also helpful to gain insight. Watch the trend at the grocery store check-out being self-serve vs. the presence of human customer service? How many banks now have actual tellers servicing customers?  Who or “what” are you talking to on the chat box on that retail website? Do you envision hair stylists or lawn care maintenance workers ever being replaced by AI? Maybe not, but how will AI impact these industries? New jobs are being created, faster than I can type this article, that change the educational process, creativity components and mechanical engineering on levels that aren’t necessarily visible or currently obvious.

AI and the Guidance Consultant

I will be transparent here and admit that the seasoned homeschool parent is now doing a great job of providing guidance to their children in the area of education that matters to the individual learner. Some may even be proficient in the use of AI tools in their helping. I have learned much from the homeschool community about how to expand the world of education and provide a flexible approach to college and career readiness that I never would have considered when I was in the “box” of the traditional educational model. The training that I received in my graduate work to become a counselor who specializes in K-12 needs for academic, personal/social and academic growth can’t be replaced with AI when considering the connection I make with the person of the learner or the parent as educator. 

The information in the links I have shared note that mental health workers are on the increase in career demand. Educational Guidance is a mental health field. We listen, consider, research, provide resources and check in on progress in a way that an AI search engine never will. Please consider how I may be of help to you or your learner in the area of college and career readiness and schedule a consultation with me through Indyed.com https://www.indyed.com/michigan/south-lyon/secular-curriculum/tamara-hall

Author: Tami Zea Hall, owner of AffirmCounsel

Contact me for permission to share at Affirmcounsel2020@gmail.com

Learning Languages With Joy

“I’m just not good at languages!”  This was one of the first things one of my learners told me when we met.  For privacy reasons, we will simply refer to her as Kaylee.   She had negative associations about being in a foreign language class due to past experiences.  She had attended three semesters of Spanish in her high school and still felt lost.  

Worse yet, Kaylee was a high achieving student, with excellent grades in all her other subjects. She had her mind set on a very competitive college and her GPA was at risk because of this one subject.  She wanted to become an engineer and the only reason she was taking Spanish was that it was necessary to satisfy the school requirements.  That was the one thing that threatened to drag her GPA down.

One semester later, after working with me once or twice a week (depending on her schedule), she ended up acing her Spanish finals.  Yes, including the oral portion of it!  But more important than the grades was the fact that she had learned to enjoy the process of becoming proficient in another language.  She had gained enough confidence to speak that language with others and have conversations.  She had learned that it is ok to not get everything right the first time and that it is all indeed a continuous process.  In case you are wondering, yes, she received acceptance letters from multiple colleges and she was even looking forward to continuing her study of Spanish.  She also was thinking of taking up Portuguese!

So, what changed?  Many factors lead to such a significant improvement.   However, I can mainly speak about what we implemented during our sessions.  Below I will write about some things I think were very helpful.  

An educator that sees the learner as an individual Our first few sessions were a time for me to learn about Kaylee. This is also what I do with most of my learners, and I find that it really helps create a plan for them as well as establish good rapport between us.  The very first time we meet; 0lkI like to start with a casual conversation in Spanish. This is a tool that helps me get a feel for not only their level of proficiency and their language skills but also how comfortable they feel using those skills.  Whenever we hit the proverbial wall, I reassure them that it is ok to continue in English. This point tells me where we need to start and saves us both from starting at a level that would be too basic or too advanced.  

Tailored lessons and activitiesRemember the conversation in the first session?   Its purpose is not only to help me find out a baseline from where to start.  It also serves me to get to know the learner so that I can tailor lessons and activities to their specific needs and interests.  Whether in the target language or in their native language, the conversation will include a discussion of hobbies, interests, personality, and subjects that are relevant to the specific learner.  I have been known to make special lessons for learners who were fond of building robots.  My tutoring folder holds a few specific lessons with vocabulary and exercises about carnivore plants and marine biology because I had a leaner that was obsessed with both.   One of my favorite activities of all time was building interactive quizzes for a learner about a tv show we both loved!  In Kaylee’s case, I discovered she liked music and plays an instrument and likes to sing.  Guess what?   We both enjoyed analyzing songs by a couple of South American singer song writers.

Having a one-on-one educatorAll this specialized content is only possible in an individualized setting.  Having individual time with an educator can greatly increase a learner’s progress. Aside from individualized content to engage each learner, an individual lesson allows the learner to move through it at their own pace. For some that might mean being free to power through at greater speed. For others it might mean spending extra time on a specific concept.

Being part of a groupThis might seem to contradict the paragraph above.  However, being part of a learning group and having one on one training are both important.  They are complementary to each other.  Learning a language, just like any skill, requires practice.  The learner that has a natural ability might need less repetition.   On the other hand, those who do not have a natural affinity but are highly motivated are willing to do drills over and over until they achieve their goal.  Most of the people fall somewhere in the middle of these categories.  Many students find mindless drills boring.  Others have technically learned the required knowledge but might feel too shy to use it.  One thing that helps people over this obstacle is “need.”  Learners who get bored easily and learners who are too bashful to use their new language on their own can find the motivation in a group class.  A group class that involves peers talking to each other in the target language, creates that “need” for using the words they have learned.  

Make it relevantStudents often quip “When am I ever going to use this?” about various subjects that are mandatory in school.  Some of them feel like that with foreign language. This makes it very difficult for them to feel motivated and put for the necessary effort and time.  Having a goal in mind really helps.  Language becomes relevant if you know you are going to use it.   Planning a trip to a Spanish speaking country is an obvious choice.  But of course, not every has the means to do that.  A smaller scale endeavor can also be effective.  In the past, I have taught in-person courses that after 8 sessions culminated in a trip to the Olvera Street, a well-known Hispanic heritage site.  The trip included lunch at a Mexican restaurant and my students interacted with the staff in only Spanish.  For our courses online, we do virtual field trips where the learners order out loud from a menu, ask for directions, and interview a Spanish guest speaker.  

At Learning With Joy, we pride ourselves in incorporating all these elements into our offerings. From one-on-one tutoring sessions to group classes, to conversational clubs, Learning With Joy has something for every learner.  We also offer activity workbooks for early learners.  They make for a great way to spend the summer.   We have helped hundreds of learners reach their goals and you can find out more about us at Learning With Joy.

Is Russian Language Fun to Study?

Studying a new language often feels like stepping into a different world. For English speakers venturing into the realm of Russian, the journey can be both fascinating and challenging. While Russian may not be the first choice for language learners, those who take it on often find it uniquely rewarding. But is it fun to study? Let’s explore the complexities and joys of learning Russian, especially for native English speakers.

The Russian Alphabet (Cyrillic)

One of the first hurdles English speakers face is learning the Cyrillic alphabet, a script that looks quite different from the Latin alphabet used in English. At first glance, some Cyrillic letters can seem intimidating because many of them resemble English letters but represent different sounds. For example, the Cyrillic letter "В" sounds like "V" in English, not "B," and "Н" sounds like "N" instead of "H."

However, mastering the Cyrillic alphabet is an achievable goal, and once you've memorized the 33 letters, you'll find that it becomes second nature. Many learners even find the alphabet to be a fun and exciting puzzle, transforming their ability to navigate Russian texts relatively quickly.

Russian Pronunciation: A Phonetic Challenge

Russian pronunciation can be tricky for English speakers, primarily due to the presence of sounds that don’t exist in English. One such sound is the rolled "r," which can take some time to master. Additionally, Russian has soft and hard consonants, which are indicated by palatalization (a slight "y" sound), and can significantly change the meaning of words.

Vowel reduction in unstressed syllables adds another layer of complexity. For example, the word "молоко" (milk) is pronounced [ma-la-KÓ], with the "o" vowels changing depending on their placement. This makes listening comprehension and pronunciation more challenging but can be an interesting aspect of the language once you get used to the rhythm of spoken Russian.

Russian Grammar: A Mountain to Climb

Perhaps the most notorious aspect of Russian for English speakers is its complex grammar. Russian is an inflected language, meaning that word endings change depending on their role in a sentence. Nouns decline across six different cases—nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, and prepositional—each with its own set of rules. For example, the word for "cat" changes as follows:

- Nominative (subject): Кот (kot)

- Genitive (possession): Кота (kota)

- Dative (indirect object): Коту (kotu)

This system is unfamiliar to English speakers, whose language relies on word order to indicate grammatical function. Memorizing and applying these cases requires time and practice, which can make Russian grammar seem like a steep hill to climb. However, many learners enjoy the logical structure of the cases once they get the hang of it.

Russian verbs also come with a layer of complexity: aspect. In Russian, verbs are either perfective or imperfective, depending on whether the action is completed or ongoing. This system doesn’t exist in English, so it can take time to fully understand and apply, but it does make for a richer understanding of how actions are described in Russian.

Russian Vocabulary: Some Surprises

Russian vocabulary is a mixture of the familiar and the foreign. English and Russian have borrowed from the same ancient Indo-European root languages, so you’ll occasionally come across cognates that are surprisingly similar, such as "телефон" (telephone) and "музей" (museum). 

However, beyond a handful of familiar words, most Russian vocabulary will be entirely new to English speakers. Memorizing new words can feel daunting, especially with Russian’s use of prefixes and suffixes to modify the meaning of root words. For example, the root "писать" (to write) can be modified with prefixes to form different meanings: "подписать" (to sign), "записать" (to record), or "написать" (to write down). While challenging at first, learning how these modifications work can also be an exciting aspect of language acquisition.

Is Learning Russian Fun?

Despite the challenges, many English speakers find studying Russian to be a rewarding and fun experience. The sense of accomplishment from mastering the alphabet, decoding the cases, and navigating pronunciation hurdles brings a deep satisfaction. Moreover, Russian culture is rich and intriguing, and learning the language provides a direct gateway to its literature, music, and history.

Once learners get past the initial difficulties, they often report that the language’s logical structure and rhythm are enjoyable to work with. The complexity of Russian also means that learners are constantly pushed to think analytically about how language works, which can be a highly engaging intellectual exercise.

A Unique and Rewarding Journey

Russian may not be the easiest language for an English speaker to study, but its very uniqueness is what makes it appealing. It’s a challenge, yes—but for those who enjoy problem-solving, patterns, and discovering a new way of thinking, Russian can be a highly enjoyable language to learn. The journey might be filled with twists and turns, but for those who persevere, the rewards of connecting with a vast culture and an intriguing linguistic system make it worth the effort.

So, is Russian fun to study? Absolutely—if you’re the type who loves a challenge and finds joy in the beauty of mastering a language unlike any other you’ve encountered.

Go to my profile to find some information https://www.indyed.com/secular-curriculum/alla-rada

OS profile https://outschool.com/teachers/Alla-Rada?refuid=jzTl2NGC

Author: Alla Rada, High School Math Teacher from Maryland

Alla holds a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from Omsk State University, Russia and is passionate about Russian culture and education.She currently teachers high school math in Ridgely, Md.Originally from Russia, she studied in Salisbury University, worked in Maryland and Oregon, and is now based in Cordova, Md. She loves books, yoga, and her white samoyed Cloud.

She is currently an Outschool teacher as well with multiple classes including Mysteries of Russia, a very new and popular class.

Немного еще обо мне. Как учитель математики начал учить русскому языку? Пандемия 2020. Все застряли по домам и квартирам, полная депрессия и неуверенность в завтрашнем дне. Здесь и появилась возможность отвлечься, заняться чем то абсолютно новым и неожиданно увлечение превратилось в самое интересное и увлекательное хобби. Мой сын, тогда ученик высшей школы, построил этот вебсайт и теперь десятки учеников из разных стран, включая Бразилию и Катар, получили возможность пользоваться этим интерактивным сайтом.

LearnwithAlla.com

Essential Tips for Parents: Preparing Your Middle and High Schooler for College Admissions

No matter what age your child is, it can be difficult to not worry about their future college and career. I get a lot of questions from parents about how to best prepare their teens: Should I enroll them in summer programs? Will their middle school grades count? Should I guide them to a highly selective and/or very expensive college? Luckily, the answers are simpler than most parents realize, despite recent changes in admissions.

Stories about test-optional admissions, highly competitive admissions processes, and decreases in teens’ mental health are all over the internet. You’ve heard (and maybe experienced for yourself) the realities of student loan debt and seen the cost of college soar. With all this going on, how can you best approach your child’s future admissions process (and keep your and your teen’s sanity in check)? Here are some tips for parents of middle school and high school students, offered from a college consultant who spends her days working with teens applying to college. (Tips for parents of high school students are below those for parents of middle school students.)

College Admission Prep Tips for Parents of Middle School Students:

1.) Focus on exploration and experiences. 

Encourage your middle schooler to try new things. Let them know it’s okay to fail and decide they don’t like doing an activity. Help them discern if they feel this way due to a minor set-back, and therefore should continue trying to improve, or if there are other factors that truly make the activity a bad fit for them. By doing this, pre-teens and teens learn to be more comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone, that one failure does not need to be the end of their story, and that you will be there to guide them through their difficulties with acknowledgement, understanding, and communication. While attending a summer program may be a good way to help students dive into their interests and try new things, it doesn't have to be! Colleges know not all families can afford these, so encourage your teens to utilize the resources available to them. Being open to and trying new things is an essential skill that will help them as they go through high school and select a future college or career path. 

2.) Build a solid academic foundation and look beyond the grades to be sure they actually know the material. (Grade inflation is real.)

Doing well in middle school can help students adjust successfully to high school academics as well as keep their future college options open. Opportunities for students to take high school courses during middle school, such as Algebra I, not only build a student’s confidence as they leave 8th grade, but it can help them in the college admissions process a few years down the road. The most competitive colleges, and increasingly the most competitive majors, often expect students to have completed a Calculus course in high school. For most students, this requires starting 9th grade having already completed the freshman math curriculum. 

It's also important to know that grade inflation is real. A 3.8 GPA today is not what it was 20 – 30 years ago, when you were in school. I’ve seen students who receive straight A's not actually ‘know’ or remember what they learned just a year prior, and this can cause them to struggle in the following year's classes. Understand how your child is graded in each course, and ask their teachers what your child’s weaknesses are (despite their grades), and if needed, get them help now. Getting a high grade is great on paper, but high grades are not everything. They can mask a child's lack of understanding of an actual topic, which can cause students to suffer as they move along in their education.

(A quick note - colleges will not look at a student's middle school grades. The exception to this rule is if a student takes a high school course, such as Algebra I, while in middle school, that course will be on a student's high school transcript.)

3.) Work on those life skills.

Having good study, organizational, and time management skills can make a dramatic difference. Once high school level academics and activities enter the picture, students can become really, really busy. Helping them explore and find techniques that work for them in middle school will pay dividends in a year or two. In addition, help them understand the consequences of their mistakes. Did they not turn in an assignment? Not study enough for a test? Discuss why this happened and help them identify strategies that may work for them so that next time they do better. When they do improve, even if just a little, encourage them to keep working at it. A middle schooler learning how to improve their grade from a B to a B+ may seem like ‘not enough’ to a parent (or student), but the skill and discipline a middle schooler acquired in doing this on their own or with minimal assistance, is best learned now so that they don’t struggle as much when academics are more difficult and they have more going on. Set the foundation of these skills so soon as possible so they can continually improve them. 

4.) If your teen is already worried and stressed out about college admissions, redirect.

I know for many parents, admissions isn’t the top thought on their minds for their 6th grader. But the reality is that middle schoolers are on social media. They overhear comments from family, friends, and others in their community. While many are well-meaning, thinking of getting into a hyper competitive college is enough to stress out an adult, let alone a middle school student. And what many students don’t understand is that success in college and in life is not dependent on getting into a specific college. So, if you notice your middle schooler worrying about that, encourage them, redirect them, and focus on developing their interests. This encouragement, support, and offering of opportunities to dive deeper into their current hobbies and activities will help them significantly when it becomes time to build that college list.

 

College Admission Tips for Parents of High School Students:

1.) If you skipped the middle school section above, go back and read it. 

 It’s never too late to improve academic and life skills. It’s still solid guidance for high schoolers!

2.) The highly rejective colleges that make the news for 7% acceptance rates (or lower) are a tiny fraction of colleges in the US, and most colleges accept more than 50% of students.

While there are many reasons why the acceptance rates at some colleges are dropping (that’s a story for a different time), there are also so many amazing colleges and programs out there that (often purposefully) have higher acceptance rates. And, repeat after me, a high acceptance rate does not equal a ‘bad’ college. As colleges continue to compete for students, one positive result has meant that so many more colleges today offer some incredible opportunities to their students, even (especially?) at colleges you’ve probably never heard of. After all, it’s what a student does while in college rather than where a student attends that makes the biggest impact on their future.

3.) College does not need to cost $80,000 per year (or more). 

There are so many ways to save money on college. The best ways boil down to three things: 

a.) Understand how each college awards their scholarships and grants. Some award more money based on a family’s financial need while others award more money based on a student’s academic achievements (known as Merit). Knowing how your family’s financial situation relates to the Financial Aid process, and discovering this during the early high school years, can save families a lot of money.

b.) Be open to colleges that don’t have as much name recognition. Many institutions that are not as well known are also significantly less expensive and/or offer excellent scholarship opportunities. In addition, consider institutions in less expensive parts of the country. (Yes, this sometimes means considering colleges in more rural locations.) Even out-of-state colleges can often end up being equal to or less expensive than ones in a student’s home state, depending on the state you live in and student’s personal situation. Another benefit to saving money on tuition is that for some families, this means they may be able to help fund a student’s study abroad experience or internship in a different city, helping them to build their resume. Money saved in undergrad may also help pay for a student's graduate degree, if they plan to go. (Pre-med, anyone?)

c.) Take advantage of AP or Dual Enrollment courses, CLEP Exams, or attend a community college for a year or two before transferring to a four-year institution. Check with your teen’s school counselor to see if their school offers AP or Dual Enrollment options. Does a student have knowledge about a subject but no AP exam? Try testing-out of a particular class by taking a CLEP exam. Always check with the colleges your teen is applying to to see what credit they award for AP exam scores, Dual Enrollment credits, and/or CLEP exams. Every college has their own policies. Finally, consider a community college. Get those general education courses out of the way at a fraction of the cost. Does your teen still want a dorm experience? Some community colleges have dorms!

4.) Allow your teen to consider trade schools and other careers that don’t require a four-year degree. 

If your teen has an interest in a career that requires a certification, associate degree, or apprenticeship, encourage their exploration into these fields. Learning a trade typically requires less time and money, and there are ample career opportunities that pay more than what some students with a four-year degree are likely to earn. Attending a trade school is nothing to look down on. It might just be the smartest decision your teen makes at this point in their life! After all, college is not for everyone.

5.) Acknowledge the admissions process can be daunting for high school seniors (and families).

The good news is that students can apply to many different colleges using a shared application. Many colleges accept the Common App, which is the most well-known application, but there are also the Coalition App, the UC App (for the University of California system), the Apply Texas App (for many Texas institutions), and the Common Black College App (for HBCUs), as well as independent applications, designed by an individual college. (Yes, there are more applications than just this list.) In addition, even if a student is fortunate enough to only need to complete one of these shared applications, they will still probably need to write several essays, as each college can ask their own questions and require their own unique essay prompts within a shared application. Navigating different deadlines with different requirements, figuring out how to best write out the activities they completed in high school, and finding the time needed to write insightful yet unique essays, all while staying on top of their senior year academics, is quite a challenge. Partnering with a college consultant who is a good fit for your teen, who deals with all this professionally every day, can significantly help in managing the college search, application, and essay-writing process.  

As a college consultant who used to be skeptical of college consultants myself, I’ll just say that most families don’t know what they don’t know. Most people wouldn’t buy a house and take out a mortgage without some guidance from a realtor. So why do we expect teens to know how to navigate a purchase and commitment with similar financial consequence to buying a house on their own? Even the smallest bit of guidance can significantly help a student and family reduce their stress through the admissions process.

6.) Reassure your teen (and yourself). They can be successful wherever they attend college, if they choose to put the work in.

Many parents tell me, after all is said and done with their teen’s admissions journey, that they wish they wouldn’t have worried so much…everything just sort of ‘worked itself out.’ Your teen is an amazing person, capable of many things. No, they probably won’t be accepted to every college they apply to, even if they have perfect grades. That is okay. Learning to deal with and move on from rejection is an important life skill. 

When teens apply to a balanced list of colleges (which should be necessary for every teen), they are very likely to receive at least a few college acceptances. Help them get excited to attend a college that truly is looking forward to having them join their campus community.  Explore in depth all the opportunities your teen’s college offers them. Too many students don’t take advantage of what is available and leave excellent (paid-for) opportunities on the table.


About the Author:

Carissa Hoitenga is an Independent College Consultant and owner of Equipped College Consulting, LLC. Based in Florida, she works with teens and their families virtually all over the U.S. (and occasionally abroad). 

Carissa focuses on educating teens and their parents about the current college admissions environment and guiding teens through the application process. As a former English instructor at a university, she supports students through their admissions essays utilizing her own discussion-based method which includes a focus on critical thinking and writing, where the goal is to teach better writing skills and not simply "edit."

Working with a wide range of students, she’s celebrated their acceptances to colleges ranging from Ivies to community colleges. Some institutions her students have recently been accepted into include Brown, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, NYU, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, Purdue, Case Western Reserve, University of Florida, Emory, University of Virginia, Marquette University, Whitman College, and other highly selective (and not-so-selective) institutions and programs. Guiding students to apply to colleges that fit their needs and will best support their unique selves is the priority.

Carissa provides comprehensive college consulting services, college essay guidance, formal college list reviews, college admissions prep courses, and academic mentoring. As a former international education professional, she also offers study abroad program consulting. Wondering if partnering with Equipped would be a good fit for your teen? Schedule a free consultation.

Why Your Child Should Learn STEM

What is STEM Education? 

Most parents have heard of STEM classes, but what does STEM actually mean and why should your child participate in these courses?  The word, “STEM”  is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. When art is added to the curriculum, the acronym is changed to STEAM to include this aspect. 

Why is STEM Important?

It is easy to understand the need to learn science and math, but what about technology and engineering?  Why are they important?  The world in which we live is evolving rapidly and is very focused on technological advances, such as computers, smart phones and AI to improve and enhance our lives.  In order for our children to be successful and competitive in the world, they need to be able to keep up with technology. STEM education  will help them along on their journey to having a successful career and a bright future..  

While STEM includes the study of math and science, STEM courses  are usually not classes that simply teach one discipline such as biology or algebra.  They are problem-based experiences that combine the four areas (science, technology, engineering, and math) in a way in which students are involved in collaborative team learning groups.  Students are challenged to  identify and solve on a real-life problems while engaging in an active learning process. Often, the student groups decide on a problem to solve within a framework, do research, devise solutions, build prototypes to demonstrate their solution, and share their solutions with the whole class. 

How does the STEM experience actually work?  

Using an example, the process can be more clearly understood.  If a group decides that the problem they wish to solve is that of a blind person having difficulty getting around.  They would do research to determine how large the blind population is, what other solutions already exist to help them navigate, and what blind people think would be helpful for them. They may interview experts or even blind people to get their opinions of products that would help them.  Then they would use the information obtained and brainstorm solutions, choose the best idea and begin to design their product. High school students might use technology, such as Arduino microcontrollers to create a smart device using sensors and actuators.  An example of such an invention could be a walking cane that uses a proximity sensor to detect walls or other obstacles.  If an obstacle is detected, the cane would then alert the blind person using a vibration motor on the handle of the cane.  Once the invention is created, students would prepare presentations to explain the problem they chose, their research, their creative process, and their working prototype.  

Not all STEM projects need to be as complex as the one described above.  A project can be as simple as learning to design a bridge.  The challenge might be to build a light-weight bridge out of popsicle sticks that spans a certain distance and can support the most weight.  Students would first research bridge designs, then brainstorm ideas, and build their bridges.  The bridges can then be tested during a contest, where the winning team is the one who built the bridge with highest ratio of weight supported to bridge weight.  

What skills are learned in STEM?

Projects such as these provide opportunities for children to learn valuable skills that cannot learned from ordinary content-based classes. The following are some of the skills that can be attained through project-based STEM classes:

  1. Problem Solving: Students are often challenged to think of multiple solutions to a problem during the brainstorming phase of a project.  They may be asked to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each idea and why they decided on the solution they finally chose.   During the building phase, things don’t always go smoothly and the students will need to analyze what went wrong and devise solutions to fix the problems that arise in order to have a successful project.
  2. Logical Reasoning:  Students will need to analyze a problem and think through the process of inventing their prototype in a systematic way.  If something doesn’t work the way they thought it would, they will need to reassess the situation and find ways to overcome it. They will also need to explain why their solution is a logical answer to the problem at hand and why they didn’t choose a different solution to the problem.
  3. Attention to Detail:There are many details to focus on when working on a long-term project.  Students will need to be aware of the criteria and constraints required for a project, such as budget limitations, size limitations, and deadlines.   They will also need to monitor their work along the way to make sure that they are meeting all the requirements by the assignment deadlines. 
  4. Critical Thinking: STEM projects provide students opportunities to interpret, evaluate and analyze their work.  They will learn to make logical connections between ideas in order to see the large picture.  
  5. Abstract Thinking:  In order to invent their product, students will need to develop the ability to think about a concept in an abstract rather than a concete way. Abstract thinking is needed in order to create things, solve problems, and analyze situations. It is also necessary when students need to empathize with the people who they are trying to help with their invention.
  6. Algorithmic Thinking: An algorithm is series of logical steps or formulas used to solve a series of similar problems.  Rather than simply solve the problem at hand, it can be used to solve any problem of a similar nature.  The ability to take a complex problem, break it down into simpler steps, and apply patterns or logical rules to solve it is known as algorithmic thinking.  When students learn to write code, for example, they are developing algorithmic thinking.
  7. Strategic Thinking: Strategic thinkers look at the big picture and the long-term implications of their solution.  They analyze situations, make informed decisions, and predict future situations.  STEM projects provide ample opportunity for such strategic thinking.                         
  8. Teamwork: Most STEM classes involve projects in which students work together in teams.  These projects may last a few days to a few months and require that students collaborate.  Students may wish to divvy up jobs or they may choose to do everything together, but the main goal is on working well together as a unified team.  It is important for students to understand that they each need to be responsible and contribute their fair share to the overall success of the project.  
  9. Communication Skills: The final step of most STEM-based projects is to share the results with the other teams. Students will need to clearly communicate their results or projects with the class or to a larger audience, such as the parent or school body. This can be done using the standard “Science Fair” trifold display boards where students stand by their projects to explain them, or it can be done more formally using a slideshow presentation of their work and process.

How do Students Benefit from STEM Education?

In addition to the skill set acquired listed above, students in STEM classes benefit in other ways. Students who engage in STEM classes in middle and high school benefit in the many ways.  These students:

  1. Have Self-Confidence:  Students who have had successful experiences in STEM learn that they are able to be successful and experience a boost to their self -confidence.  They learn that they can meet a challenge head-on and have the confidence that they can overcome it.
  2. Become Lifelong Learners:  They understand the importance of continuing their education. They obtained the skills needed to learn new material  on their own and they have seen how doing so has paid off.  
  3. Develop Perseverance: Most projects are not successful the first time.  Students learn to keep trying new ways to solve the problems that inevitably arise during a project.  They learn that resilience and perseverance help them achieve their goals.
  4. Get High-Paying Job: STEM education provides the necessary skills for students to get high-paying jobs in various fields, especially engineering, that are in high demand.  Students who engage in STEM activities are prepared for a future filled with technology and innovation.
  5. Express Creativity: Students learn that they can express their creativity through project-based learning.  They learn to think out-of-the-box and design unique solutions to problems.
  6. Have Academic Rate of Success: Studies have shown that STEM education has a positive effect on academic achievements. Students learn to work hard and the skills they attain from these activities follow stay with them as they pursue higher education.

Conclusion

Overall, STEM education is extremely valuable to children.  Parents can give their children an educational edge by providing opportunities for their children to engage in STEM activities.  If your child’s school does not offer STEM classes, parents can look elsewhere for classes.  There may be after-school enrichment classes, local city-sponsored classes, summer camps, or online opportunities that offer classes in robotics, coding or other STEM- related learning opportunities.  

Your child does not need to be interested in pursuing a career in science or engineering in order to benefit from the skills they attain from STEM classes.  Providing your child with opportunities to engage in STEM activities will go a long way to help them develop the skills to prepare them for the challenges of living in the ever-changing complex technological world in which we live.  

Elene is a certified teacher who has taught a wide variety of science and engineering classes in private schools for the past 30 years and online for the past 4 years.  She holds a Masters Degree in Chemistry and has led her students to win prizes at local and national science and innovation fairs.  Her classes focus on scientific experimentation and Arduino coding.  She is also available for private tutoring in Chemistry and Arduino coding. For more information, please refer to her bio on IndyEd at and her website.

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